Book Details
Written by
Genre
More details
See more book reviews

Cures for Heartbreak (by Margo Rabb)

common sense media says

Sad, witty, powerful read about a parent dying.

parents & educators say
See 2 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that the mother of 15-year-old Mia dies 12 days after being diagnosed with cancer, and her father has a heart attack. Each chapter could stand alone with vivid descriptions of Mia's evolving grief, her relationships with her stodgy father and sharp-tongued older sister, and her challenges with boys, peers, and fitting in. There is some edgy material: Teens discuss sex and romance, sip wine, use profanity, and skip school; there is also reference to the Holocaust and aftermath for Mia's mother's family. But overall, Mia's progression through grief is real, and readers will appreciate that while there is no "sure-bet" cure, she is able to grow by leaning on family and friends.

Educational value: Could be used as a jumping off point to talk about grief and its various stages. See our "Families Can Talk About" section for some discussion ideas.
Positive messages: Mia's progression through grief is real, and while there is no "sure-bet" cure, she leans on family and friends to grow.
Positive role models: Mia's teen behaviors after her mother's death are spot-on, and readers
will find it easy to connect with her, even if they don't have similar
experiences.
Violence: Many passages describe scenes in hospitals. Some mentions of Holocaust concentration camps. Stories told of two suicides: one from ingesting pills, another by hanging.
Sex: Descriptions of kissing, fondling, heavy petting under skirts, virginities, fantasies, and wearing skimpy clothing to be sexy. Teen girl suspects her father is having sex with his girlfriend. Mia's mother may have been pursuing a former flame.
Language: "F--k" said amongst teens and by teens to their father.
Consumerism: Mention of Bloomingdales and other shops in NYC.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: People smoke cigarettes and drink. Parents let teens sip wine at dinner. A person dies from ingesting pills.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Cures for Heartbreak

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about the title of this book: What was the "cure" for Mia, or is there one? How are these related to Mia's needs as a teen -- such as the comfort of a best friend, finding love in a boyfriend (one who has his own experiences with illness), or the safety net of a family?
  • How is Mia a more evolved person in the end?
  • On the author's website, she remembers that, "Within two weeks after my mother died I'd checked out every library book I could find which featured a dead parent." How does reading about a character like you help you deal with situations?
  • Why is it also important to read about characters different from yourself?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Fifteen-year-old Mia's mother checks into the hospital for a stomach ache and dies 12 days later from melanoma. Then her father, whom she struggles to get along with, has a second heart attack and bypass surgery. Helping her absorb it all is a new best friend, shopping trips, and a 19-year-old boy in remission from leukemia. Then, as if keeping herself going wasn't hard enough, her father is suddenly engaged.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

The authenticity of this novel stems largely from author Margo Rabb's teen experiences of losing her own mother and father. Mia's teen behaviors after her mother's death are spot-on, and readers will find it easy to connect with her, even if they don't have similar experiences.

The author expertly weaves Mia's everyday moments as a teen girl -- funny stuff -- with the tough and tear-jerking milestones of her grieving process. Mia gets a new best friend and crushes on boys on the one hand, and ponders her parents' marital discord, her mother's bouts of depression, and her difficult relationships with her father and older sister on the other. CURES FOR HEARTBREAK is a valuable coming-of-age story for the right teen reader ready for the tough subject matter.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Margo Rabb
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Publication date: February 13, 2007
Number of pages: 256
Hardcover price: $15.99
Read Aloud: 14
Read Alone: 14
This review was written by Pam Gelman
 
 

Review It

 

Review Cures for Heartbreak

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

Most useful reviews by all members

sophmore2010
teen, 18 years old
 
well not too amazing.
I got this book thinking i was going to learn how teenage daughters cope losing their mothers but i did not.What i learned was more about her family. her edged sister her father who is very stonefaced and its all too easy yet confusing to follow.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (2) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (2)
Meghan O.
teen, 15 years old
10
 
Amazing
i love this book ive read it many times
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (2) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (1)

More reviews ...

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
Advice on the big issues
 

vote now

Will you read Cures for Heartbreak?

Won't miss it
On the fence
No way

Already read it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

More books dealing with death
For kids who love emotional books
Browse more books
External sites
About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age
Our child development rating guidelines